Kamakura

Address

Kamakura, Katsushika, Tokyo 125-0053, Japan

Nearest station

Kamakura

Historic city centre

Kamakura was catapulted to the centre of Japan’s politics in the 12th century when Minamoto no Yoritomo established his shogunate here. His gift to the city includes the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, a Shinto shrine as well as the wide Wakamiya Oji that leads from the seaside to the temple steps.

Meigetsu-in Temple encapsulates the beauty of Japanese nature with its beautiful hydrangeas that lend an ethereal quality to the grounds in June and its pristine rock garden. Visitors can get a glimpse of Japan’s culture at the Kamakura National Treasure House Museum as well as the Museum of Modern Art.

Religious symbolism

Kamakura’s greatest claim to fame is the Kamakura Daibatsu (Giant Buddha) found seated within the Kotoku-in temple grounds. A leisurely stroll from here takes you to the Hase-dera Temple which houses a 9.3 metres tall Kannon, a goddess. The nearby Kosoku-ji Temple is surrounded by serene gardens that showcase a uniquely Japanese heritage.

At the end of your cultural trip, a visit to the Yui-ga-hama Beach is highly recommended.